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Partial Reopening of John St. Post Office Leaves Downtowners Confused

By Irene Plagianos | December 7, 2012 2:04pm

FINANCIAL DISTRICT — You've got mail?

Confusion reigned at the John Street Post Office early Friday, after local residents received a letter stating that the branch would reopen — only to find locked doors when they arrived.

The letter, posted at buildings in the area and dated Dec. 5, said the 114 John St. post office shuttered since Hurricane Sandy would be open to P.O. Box holders and for package pickup.

A postal worker was letting those with P.O. Boxes into the location, where workers continued to clean and repair the outpost, but there was ultimately no package pickup.

Customers were then directed to a post office on Church Street for picking up and sending packages.

“It’s just more confusion,” said a local resident, as he rushed out of the John Street location Friday. “Nobody seems to know what’s going on.”

Earlier this week, a post office spokeswoman said that because of extensive flood damage, the site would remain closed indefinitely.

A postal worker, who declined to give his name, said even though P.O. Box access is now available, he wasn’t sure when the branch would be fully up and running  without Internet and phone service. It also remained unclear when package pick up would resume.

Darlene Reid, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Postal Service, said she was unaware that the letter had been posted in regard to the limited reopening, adding she was looking into the matter.

Since last Thursday, a postal truck selling stamps has been parked outside the office.